Alpha Industries M65 Field Jacket

[Seb Lucas]

I am six foot two and 185 pounds, a lean build. I wear a size medium in the Alpha. It is a roomy fit - fits like a large or extra large.

 

[Fifty150]

Years ago, I learned to use a poncho liner or blanket to cover my head like a hood. Surplus store jackets like M-51 Fishtail Parka, M-65 Field Jacket, and N-3B Snorkel Parka fit nicely on top. The poncho liner wrapped over my head and body was warm and comfortable in extremely cold conditions.

Along my travels, I bought a cheap blanket. Falsa blanket which you find in border towns, truck stops, etc. A table was on the roadside hawking t-shirts, Baja Jerga hoodies, and Falsa blankets. Always haggle pricing with roadside vendors. Never pay "Tijuana Sticker Price" anywhere in the world. That Falsa blanket now is my improvised hoodie and jacket insulator when I am out drinking beers at The Beach.

If you do that in today's world, you will look like one of the homeless. I'm often mistaken for being homeless. Drinking from a can of beer out by the beach. With a 3 day stubble, Mexican blanket wrapped over my head, and an old army jacket. I ran into my ex-girlfriend's dad looking like that. He thought I lost my job, lost my house, lost my dog......

 

[Fifty150]

At 210, my chest is 50".

Not a great view. Not a great "selfie". This is what the M-65 & M-51 look like on me. For me, this is the correct & comfortable fit. Size XL. Not tight.

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ wow, these def. fit big... I'd have thought that a 50" chest would be an XXL

 

[Fifty150]

If I recall correctly, Alpha size on the garment label for XL is up to 47". These are made to fit over layers. Rothco size chart says the M-65 XL measures 28" across from the armpits. Not that Alpha and Rothco size match up. But it gives you an idea of how big the jacket may be. It's just enough room for me to move. I can feel the fabric across my back.

 

[Doctor Damage]

some Japanese porn... the table is their measurement chart (I've added inches in red) not sure how accurate it is but I find Japanese websites usually take measurements seriously

 

[Fifty150]

Ignore the size chart. The only way to buy is to try it on. I have an old, size large, which I can put on, if only wearing a redshirt. The body is short. The back is tight. The zipper starts at my belly button.

 

[Trenchfriend]

In Europe, we prefer the Helikon M65. They are seemingly true-to-size.

 

[Fifty150]

some Japanese porn...

That could take this thread in a different direction.

In Europe, we prefer the Helikon M65.

I've seen those on Amazon. I haven't seen them in uniform supplies or retail stores in my area.


The green jacket that I have is about 2 decades old. Not worn often. Brand unknown, as the label is illegible after unknown trips through the washing machine.

The history of that particular garment was that it was handed to me at a training camp. Since we were only there for 10 days of exercises, I doubt if high quality uniforms were issued. Removed the liners since we were in a hot climate. Removed all of the buttons and drawcords so that they don't get in the way, snag, et cetera. Stitched down the epaulettes by hand so that our pack straps didn't pull them off. Unrolled the hood, then stuffed them into the back of the jacket so that the collar isn't as bulky. Some guys cut off the hood & epaulettes, as they were of no use to that particular exercise. Some of the guys threw the jackets away or gave them to someone else, because it took up too much space in their luggage. With the sleeves rolled up, and no liner, it's just right for 60 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or room temperature, worn over a t-shirt when I need extra pockets.

 

[Fifty150]

With the sleeves rolled up, and no liner, it's just right for 60 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or room temperature, worn over a t-shirt when I need extra pockets.

 

[Doctor Damage]

In Europe, we prefer the Helikon M65. They are seemingly true-to-size.

Thanks for the reminder. I always forget about Helikon but I can order them direct from the UK for affordable prices, much less than getting Alpha. (Yes, I know it's a Polish company, but there's a ton of retailers in the UK who sell their stuff.)

 

[Doctor Damage]

The history of that particular garment was that it was handed to me at a training camp. Since we were only there for 10 days of exercises, I doubt if high quality uniforms were issued. Removed the liners since we were in a hot climate. Removed all of the buttons and drawcords so that they don't get in the way, snag, et cetera. Stitched down the epaulettes by hand so that our pack straps didn't pull them off. Unrolled the hood, then stuffed them into the back of the jacket so that the collar isn't as bulky. Some guys cut off the hood & epaulettes, as they were of no use to that particular exercise. Some of the guys threw the jackets away or gave them to someone else, because it took up too much space in their luggage. With the sleeves rolled up, and no liner, it's just right for 60 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or room temperature, worn over a t-shirt when I need extra pockets.

Thanks for posting your memories/experiences. This sort of stuff is always interesting & useful on a clothing forum!

 

[Fifty150]

I think that some people want "authentic". When it comes to military contracts, there may be more than 1 vendor for the same item. The M-65 was probably produced by more than 1 company. The US Military has phased this jacket out. But that doesn't mean it's completely out of service. Civilian police, private military industry, and military in other countries are probably still issuing variants of the M-65. It's "authentic" to somebody's organization. It would not surprise me at all if government contracts exist for those uniforms made in Haiti, Dominican Republic, China, et cetera. I imagine that those uniforms are probably a part of the military aide packages that The US generously hands out with no "quid pro quo". There are probably entire regiments in Ukraine wearing Made In China M-65 with no quid pro quo.

 

[Psant25]

I bought this.

https://www.armysurplusworld.com/personalized-usa-m65-field-jacket

Same as my issued bdu jacket from 2002. Even had them add my name tape. 75 bucks. Arrives Saturday. Have an old liner laying around.

 

[Fifty150]

I bought this.
https://www.armysurplusworld.com/personalized-usa-m65-field-jacket
https://www.armysurplusworld.com/personalized-usa-m65-field-jacket

It will be very interesting to see what they send you, and in what condition. Keep us informed.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Thanks for the reminder. I always forget about Helikon but I can order them direct from the UK for affordable prices, much less than getting Alpha. (Yes, I know it's a Polish company, but there's a ton of retailers in the UK who sell their stuff.)

The Helikon M65 is made to the original U.S. Army-specifications. It's a perfect copy of the orignal NyCo-M65, including the heavy zipper.

 

[Fifty150]

That sounds like a better value for money spent. I like Alpha. A good product. But the price is high. And a high price for Made in China.

 

[Trenchfriend]

That sounds like a better value for money spent. I like Alpha. A good product. But the price is high. And a high price for Made in China.

The Helikon M65 is the genuine M65.
Have a look:

 

[Harris HTM]

The Helikon M65 is the genuine M65.
Have a look:

do you have any personal experience with how they fit?

 

[Trenchfriend]

do you have any personal experience with how they fit?

You have to take one size smaller than usual.